[Regarding] a tree which was standing in the public domain and [an object of] tumah was in it, [if] one climbed to the top of [the tree], [and there is] a doubt whether he touched [the tamei object or] did not touch [it], the uncertainty is [ruled] tamei.  [If] one inserted his hand into a hole that has [an object of] tumah [in it], [and there is] a doubt whether he touched [the tamei ob-ject] or did not touch [it], the uncertainty is [ruled] tamei.  [Regarding] a store which was tamei and open to a public do-main, [and there is] a doubt whether one entered [the store] or did not enter [it], the uncertainty is [ruled] tahor. [If there is] a doubt whether he touched [a tamei item there] or did not touch [it], the uncertainty is [ruled] tahor.  [Regarding] two stores, one [of which is] tamei and one [of which is] tahor, [and] one entered one of them, [and there is] a doubt whether he went into the tamei [one] or into the tahor [one], the uncertainty is [ruled] tamei.

As many uncertainties and uncertainties of uncertainties that you can add in a pri-vate domain [the uncertainty is ruled] tamei; [but] in the public domain [the uncertainty is ruled] tahor. How so? [If] one entered an alleyway and there was [an object of] tumah in the courtyard, [and there is] a doubt whether he entered [the courtyard] or did not enter; [or there was an ob-ject of] tumah in a house, [and there is] a doubt whether he entered [the house] or did not enter [it]; and even if he entered, [there is] a doubt whether [the object of tumah] was there or it was not there; and even if it was there [there is] a doubt whether it con-sisted of the [minimum] measure [for tumah] or it did not consist of the [minimum] measure; and even if it did consist [of the minimum measure], [there is] a doubt whether it is [an object of] tumah or it is [an object of] taharah; and even if it is [an item of] tumah, [there is] a doubt whether he touched [it] or he did not [touch it], the uncertainty is [ruled] tamei. R’ Elazar says: An uncertainty [regarding] entry is [ruled] tahor; an uncertainty [regarding] contact with tumah is [ruled] tamei.

[If one] enters an area of open fields dur-ing the rainy season and there is tumah in a certain field, and he said, “I went to that area but I do not know whether I entered that field or not,” R’ Elazar rules [him] tahor, but the Sages rule [him] tamei.

An uncertainty [of tumah] in a private domain is [deemed] tamei until he says, “I did not touch [the tamei object].” An uncer-tainty [of tumah] in a public domain is [deemed] tahor until he says, “I touched [the tamei object].”  Which is a public do-main? The paths of Beis Gilgul and [other paths] similar to them are a private domain in regard to [the laws of] the Sab-bath but a public domain in regard to [the laws of] tumah. Said R’ Eliezer: The paths of Beis Gilgul were not mentioned [in the academy] other than [to teach] that they are a private domain for this [the Sabbath laws] and for that [the tumah laws].  The paths that open into pits, ditches, vaults, and wine vats are a private domain for [the laws of] the Sabbath but a public domain for [the laws of] tumah.